Alcohol can cause alterations in the structure and function of the growing brain, which continues to grow into a person's mid 20s, and it might have repercussions reaching far beyond adolescence.

In adolescence, brain development is defined by dramatic changes to the brain's structure, neuron connectivity ("circuitry"), and physiology. These transformations in the brain disturb everything from emerging sexuality to emotionality and judgment.


Not all portions of the juvenile brain mature at the same time, which may put a juvenile at a disadvantage in specific circumstances. The limbic areas of the brain mature earlier than the frontal lobes. The limbic regions regulate emotions and are related to an adolescent's decreased level of sensitivity to risk. The frontal lobes are responsible for self-control, judgment, reasoning, problem-solving, and impulse control. Variations in maturation amongst parts of the brain can lead to impulsive choices or acts and a disregard for repercussions.

Ways Alcohol Affects the Brain
Alcohol disturbs a juvenile's brain development in many ways. The repercussions of underage alcohol consumption on specific brain activities are discussed below.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol can appear to be a stimulant because, initially, it depresses the part of the human brain that controls inhibitions.

CORTEX-- Alcohol slows down the cerebral cortex as it works with information from an individual's senses.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM-- When a person thinks of something he desires his body to do, the central nervous system-- the brain and the spine-- sends out a signal to that portion of the physical body. Alcohol hampers the central nervous system, making the person think, communicate, and move slower.

FRONTAL LOBES -- The human brain's frontal lobes are very important for organizing, forming concepts, making decisions, and exercising self-discipline.

When alcohol impairs the frontal lobes of the brain, an individual might find it tough to control his or her feelings and urges. The individual may act without thinking or may even get violent. Drinking alcohol over an extended period of time can damage the frontal lobes permanently.

HIPPOCAMPUS-- The hippocampus is the portion of the brain in which memories are made.
Once alcohol gets to the hippocampus, a person might have difficulty remembering something he or she just learned, like a name or a telephone number. This can take place after just one or two drinks.
Drinking a great deal of alcohol quickly can cause a blackout-- not being able to remember entire events, such as what exactly he or she did the night before.
If alcohol damages the hippocampus, an individual might find it tough to learn and to hold on to information.

CEREBELLUM-- Natural Progression Of Alcohol Addiction is essential for coordination, to form thoughts, and focus. An individual may have trouble with these abilities once alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, a person's hands might be so tremulous that they cannot touch or get hold of things properly, and they may lose their equilibrium and tumble.

HYPOTHALAMUS-- The hypothalamus is a little part of the brain that does an incredible number of the body's housekeeping chores. Alcohol frustrates the operation of the hypothalamus. After a person drinks alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and the urge to urinate increase while physical body temperature and heart rate decrease.

Alcohol in fact chills the physical body. Consuming a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather conditions can trigger an individual's physical body temperature level to fall below normal.

An individual may have trouble with these abilities when alcohol goes into the cerebellum. After drinking alcohol, an individual's hands might be so shaky that they cannot touch or take hold of things properly, and they may fail to keep their balance and tumble.

After a person drinks alcohol, blood pressure, hunger, thirst, and the desire to urinate increase while physical body temperature and heart rate decline.

Alcohol in fact chills the physical body. Drinking a lot of alcohol outdoors in cold weather can cause an individual's body temperature level to drop below normal.